Throughout my nearly 20 years at Swift Nature Camp, I have been fortunate enough to spend time in most of the major positions at camp. I look back fondly on my time as a camper as it was really my introduction to real camp and throughout that nearly 10 year span I had some of the most memorable experiences of my life. From learning about all the activities on that first orientation day, to the challenging trips I would end up taking my last year in Cabin 1, the camper experience is one I will always remember. But enough about that, I want to talk to you about the aspect of camp that I truly believe is the space in which people grow the most: The Teen Leadership Program. As campers, we don't really think about how camp really works and most of our attention is focused on how we can have as much fun as possible. Once we age out of the camper program, we begin to think more intentionally about the world around us and how we can make a difference in the lives of others. The Teen Leadership Program seeks to accomplish just that. Having been a Teen Leader myself, although we called them CIT’s (Counselor’s In Training) at the time, I can say that despite all the fun and rewarding challenges that I experienced during my time as a camper, it was my time as a Teen Leader that truly helped me to grow into the person I am today. With that being said, I would like to talk to you from my perspective as the Teen Leader Director and explain a bit about the program and what we do as part of it.
The most fundamental aspect of the Teen Leadership Program is the fact that it is a two-part system. Throughout the six week program, you will take on two different roles, that of a CIT, (counselor in training)and that of an LIT (leader in training). CIT’s live in cabins with campers and counselors. They spend most of their day learning from the counselor and helping out with the cabin as needed. CIT’s are not expected to do a counselors job and will never be given full responsibility over the cabin group. As a CIT, your job is to learn from your counselors and help with basic cabin procedures. Since you are taking on a leadership role, the expectations will be a bit higher than those for a standard camper. Despite this leadership role, don’t forget to have fun with your campers and help to make it a memorable experience for them.
On the other side lies the role of the LIT. LIT’s, unlike CIT’s, do not live in cabins with campers. Instead, the LIT’s are given the privilege of their own private, yet supervised, domicile located along cabin row. As part of this aspect of Teen Leadership, LIT’s will participate in a wide variety of projects and activities around camp. This may vary from assisting with repairing a damaged bench, to helping prepare food for camping trips and even learning to lead activities with campers. The purpose of the LIT part of the teen leadership program is for participants to develop real world skills that are applicable in both future employment opportunities as well as interpersonal interactions. LIT’s will learn a bit about how camp works behind the scenes and will have new and exciting experiences.
Teen Leaders will be split into two groups with each group taking on one of the aforementioned roles for the first three weeks, with the groups switching roles for the second half of the program. Having been the Teen Leader Director for 2 summers now, I have found that most participants benefit a great deal from their time in the Teen Leadership Program. Whether it is through development of leadership skills, personal growth, or even learning the steps needed to fix a leaky faucet, the Teen Leadership Program has helped everyone grow in some way, shape or form. And don’t forget, there is plenty of fun to be had. Throughout the program, Teen Leaders will participate in several activities and trips that are exclusive for this program and are sure to leave positive memories that will last a lifetime.
I hope you will come be part of the teen leadership team in 2026
Forrest
